Book Review: Just Fine: Unmasking Concealed Chronic Illness And Pain
by Carol Sveilich
I could very easily be one of the interesting people featured in this book. It could be my face in the pictures and my story to be told and I can only imagine that if you are reading this review, it could also be your story of living and acting "just fine" when your body aches with pain.
I thought that it might be boring, or repetitive to read a compilation of stories so similar to my own, but instead I found it inspirational and comforting to know I was not alone. I also thought I may find this book depressing, but instead I found solace in reading about others like myself.
As I paged through the book I saw different faces with different stories of how invisible diseases have effected their lives. I noticed how different everyone looked in their pictures and yet how similar they all were in their feelings and their struggles.
Sveilich interviewed and photographed over 50 people in this book. There were stories of young and old, mothers and fathers, successful business people and those who are trying to start careers. There are many illnesses featured including Crohn’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, epilepsy, colitis, arthritis, fibromyalgia and more. Although the particular symptoms or severity may differ and the profiles are all within different stages of life and diseases, the
emotions of living with invisible pain are quite similar. Everyone featured in this book has had their lives effected by living with a concealed chronic illness. They live with the duality of having their outward appearance not match their inner pain. I know this "double life" all too well. It is hard to keep up the act of a healthy person when you are not. This book shares the emotions behind the smiling faces. The interesting fact about this book is that although the personal anecdotes are unique, the people profiled all have a lesson to share. This book will make you re-think how you look at outward appearances for yourself and for others.
I enjoyed learning about how others cope with living with invisible diseases, and I would recommend this book to anyone wanting an "insiders" view.
| Title: Just Fine: Unmasking Concealed Chronic Illness And Pain Author: Carol Sveilich Publisher: Avid Reader Press IBSN: 0970015046 Review written by: Christine Miserandino |
